Does anyone know where I can purchase the 139 gr. Norma bullet as used in the Norma 6.5x55 ammo?

In my Remington 700 chambered for the 6.5 Swede the factory Norma ammo with this bullet shoots EXTREMELY well and I would like to replicate this load if possible.

I have been using 140 gr. Sierra Game Kings/ Hornady SST and can replicate the velocity with no problem, but the Norma bullet just outperforms the Sierra and Hornady significantly.

Thanks to all!

Randy

By "outperforms" are you referring to accuracy? Try at least two or three powders and the Sierra and Hornady bullets you mention (and maybe others) and experiment with charge weights and seating depths.

May sound like a lot of trouble, and it is, but if you're serious about finding an accurate load, that's what it often takes. The Sierra 140 GK should shoot at least as well as the Norma bullet, but other bullets may also do well.

I don't know if Norma bullets are available as components but perhaps they are.

I’ve had my best luck with 143gr ELD-X in my CZ, using RL-22”

I am using RL-22 (47 gr) with either the Hornady 140 SST or the Sierra Game King, seated to the same length as the factory Norma ammo. Velocity is 2650 fps whereas the Norma is 2590 fps so a slight drop in velocity with factory....

I have also tried H-414, AA2700, IMR-4831Sc, H380 and some AA-2520...RL-22 seems to deliver most consistency however.

With RL-22 I can usually cover 5 shots with a quarter at 100 yds.
Pretty good for a hunting rifle!!

The Norma shoots 5 rounds and you can consistently cover them with a dime.........that is what I am trying to replicate.

And that is why I am trying to find a retailer for Norma projectiles IF they are even available. If they aren't available, I have some old Nosler Partitions to try and see what happens.

Randy

I wonder if Norma quit making the 139 grain bullets?

I haven't checked lately, but in the past I have found Norma bullets at Graff and Son's.

I checked several places, including Graf's and nobody has the 139 grain Norma bullets. Midway has 139 grain Lapua Scenar bullets though, if that helps the OP out.

@ growr, have you tried any Nosler bullets? I find them to shoot pretty darn spiffy out of my 264 Mag and my 260 Remington.

This is 10 shots from a Swedish CG-63 with iron sights at 100 yards. The load was 140 Gr A max with 40.4 Grains of RL-17. The one out to the right was a faux pas on my part. The cold barrel shot was one of the left ones that still ended up in the group.

Attached Images

CG 63 Group 1.jpg (40.4 KB, 61 views)

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

This group was PPU 120 grain HP BT Match. The extreme left shot was the cold barrel and the extreme right shot was another faux pas on my part. Fired at 100 yrds with iron sights.

Attached Images

CG 63 Group 2.jpg (21.2 KB, 13 views)

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Outstanding.....who said that you can't shoot with irons??

Randy

Thanks, for the kind words. I prefer to shoot iron sights.

AJ

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Norma 130 gr. Norma Golden Target Bullets 264 Cal 6.5mm (264 - MPN: 10665091 (100)
Norma web-site: Hunting Bullets - Norma doesn't show any 129 gr.
Grafs: NORMA 6.5(.264)130gr HPBT BULLET DIAMOND-LINE 500/b - Graf & Sons


I think you are "sorta-out-of-luck".

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Wish you were wrong....appears as though Norma hasn't made this bullet for some time. Think I will try my old Nosler Partitions, they seem quite similar in profile and such.
Thanks to all for helping!
Randy

I use the Lapua 144 grs FMJ with satisfaction for many years now. Load ist 33,5 grs VV N150, it's low end because I don't want to stress my M41b too much

regards from Germany
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

I called Hornady this morning and discussed this with them. The ELD-X version is almost identical to the Norma bullet I am looking for. I will try that as well.

Randy

After some experimentation in my Sweed's using bullets from 120 to 142gr, I had the best results using 130 gr bullets from Hornady ELD and Sierra Match King.
Both are in stock at Midway.

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Dave

You might have to use brand "X" if the 139 is not made any more.

I learned that a bullets design can make or break a rifles accuracy
by its tip, Ojive or base compared to other brands.
Even a different primer or as mentioned, OAL can do wonders for accuracy
or also make it disappear.

Back to the drawing board.

Have you pulled the bullets from Norma Ammo and replaced them with Hornadays? Reloaded the bullets with your powder to verify it is the bullets?

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Front sight and squeeze

Midsouth Shooters has Norma 6.5 'scenar' 139 grain. Is that the same bullet?

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

For hunting bullets, I would try the Hornady 140gr Interbond or interlock, run them over H4350. I love the Nosler partition, but never found them to be tack drivers in most calibers. The Speer Hotcore can be very accurate as well.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

No I haven't, but that is a very good idea! Have enough left to do that.

Randy

It is a bullet from Lapua, not Norma. Very similar however and I will try some of those as well. Thanks for the sharp eye!

Randy

At one time long ago I shot sporter-class bench rest using a custom Mauser with a Douglas 6.5x55 barrel. I don't remember the barrel twist, but think it was 1:9". Believe it or not, my best grouping performance at 100 and 200 yards was achieved with a 130 grain round nose bullet from Herter's (anyone else remember them?) and IMR 4320 powder. I think Herter's got their bullets from Sweden, but probably not from Norma.

I've had good results with Sierra 140 grain SMK's.

I plink with Rem/Win factory bullets.
Shoot targets with Sierra B/T and HP style bullets.
Hunt with Acc-Bond bullets, since the second best bullet....
the Nosler Partition is not as accurate but works to 250 yards, if needed.

That is with "My" rifles, though.
I do think that Norma ammo is fantastic if found..... Quality, stuff!!

I have a box of 155.9 gr. Norma round nose match bullets when coupled with RL 22 powder most accurate load to date out of 4 m96 mausers. They say match grade but utilized for hunting. Next surprise was 129 Hornady spire point flat base very accurate. I keep the Norma's for hunting no need to waste them punching paper.

It is an ugly bullet, but we have gotten some pretty amazing groups out of Hornady 160 grain RN Interlock bullets and 4350 powder out of a couple of M96 Mausers.

GROWR -
+1 on the "Ugly" Hornady 160 gr. RN! IMR 4350 and that bullet in my Ruger #1-A groups 3 rds. into +/-1.0" at 100 yds. until I get tired of shooting. That bullet also hits like the hammer of Thor and you can eat right up to the hole!
My #1 also likes the Hornady 129 gr. SST over IMR 4064. It will hold .75 - 1.0" for 3 rds. with wonderful repeatability.
I also use the 160 gr. bullet in my Swede Mauser short rifle.
Good luck in your quest!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

[QUOTE=DWalt; Believe it or not, my best grouping performance at 100 and 200 yards was achieved with a 130 grain round nose bullet from Herter's (anyone else remember them?).[/QUOTE]

yes I do remember them;guess that makes us 2 ''old reloaders''!Let's look at the bright side;gray hair brings respect...doesn't it?

I've been messing around with a nice 6.5 x 55 Swede with a #2 barrel. I found a steady supply of Hornady 140gr. ELDs and Sierra 142gr. Match Kings. Trying a few different powders including the Reloader family the best groups I could get with either bullet was with IMR-4350, the Hornady ELDs preferred 39.0grs, the Match Kings likes 40.0 grs. The best groups were shot with the ELDs with a COL of 3.025, average groups are slightly over an inch with extreme spread, within that group usually three are together.
I tried Nosler Custom Competition 140gr bullets and the rifle did not like them at all.